Electroplating of superconductor elements

ABSTRACT

Processes and techniques are described for concurrent electroplating of yttrium, barium and copper from aqueous solution onto a desired substrate (e.g., nickel, nichrome or silver). Compounds of these elements are dissolved in solution and then placed in a plating cell in which the cathode is the substrate on which the elements are to be deposited. After the elements have been deposited, they are oxidized to provide the desired perovskite structure. The process may be continuous or non-continuous.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 07/695,942, filed May 6, 1991 abandoned Oct. 29, 1992.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to concurrent electroplating of multiple elements onto electrically conductive surfaces that are useful for making high temperature superconductors. This invention relates to batch and continuous processes for electro-deposition of superconductor elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High temperature superconductors of the perovskite structure were originally produced from mixed oxides or oxide precursors. They have more recently been produced by very complex processes involving high vacuum, electron beams, and chemical vapor deposition. Most conductors prepared by such processes are limited to small or short dimensions, whereas electroplating is easily amenable to continuous production of long wires and ribbons.

The most common high temperature superconductive perovskite is YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇, wherein the three metallic elements present are of very different electrochemical characteristics. The amount of oxygen present in this molecule is known to be slightly less than 7, but numerals are used here for brevity. In relation to hydrogen, the electropotentials of these three metals are:

    ______________________________________                                                Copper       +0.34 volt                                                        Barium       -2.91 volts                                                       Yttrium      -2.37 volts                                                ______________________________________                                    

Where elements differ in electropotential as these metals do, they are extremely difficult to codeposit in a defined ratio. Where elements are highly electronegative in relation to hydrogen, as are barium and yttrium, they do not normally electroplate from an aqueous solution. Thus concurrent electroplating to make a deposit with elemental ratios 1:2:3 for YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇ is extremely difficult to accomplish. The ratio of deposition may be affected by the solution concentration, pH, the voltage difference between anode and cathode, temperature, and presence of chemicals that might form complexes.

There has not heretofore been provided an efficient and effective process for concurrent electroplating of yttrium, barium and copper from aqueous solution. Whereas other electrodeposition processes have been researched and patented, the uniqueness of the present invention is evident in the discussion that follows.

The term electrodeposition covers placement of a material using an electromotive charge. When this is done from a liquid matrix, deposition can take place in one of two distinct processes:

1. Electroplating, wherein cations (+ charge) of a specific metal are attracted to the cathode (- electrode) and the ions are reduced to the elemental (metallic) state by addition of electrons to ions. The metal plating grows an atom at a time and generally forms a coherent metallic deposit.

2. Electrophoresis, wherein solid particles (not dissolved ions) are given an electrostatic charge (+ or -) and are attracted to an electrode of opposite charge, where the particles are physically agglomerated onto the substrate. Electrophoresis can be accomplished from colloids or dispersions and can sometimes be included with an electroplating process as noted below. Sometimes charged particles are deposited and agglomerated; sometimes charged colloids are deposited, as in latex electrodeposition; sometimes charged colloids containing mineral pigments are deposited, as in electrodeposition of automotive primers. See Sax & Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11 ed, 1987, pp 457-458, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co, New York, incorporated herein by reference.

Electroplating can be accomplished from three different forms:

1. Single or mixed molten salt (e.g., aluminum manufacturing).

2. Aqueous solution (e.g., conventional copper, nickel and silver plating).

3. Nonaqueous solution (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,417).

Electroless or autocatalytic plating of metals is another form of deposition, but it is not electrodeposition and is distinct from the processes discussed herein.

The patents of Maxfield (U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,308) and Koura (U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,417) relate to concurrent electrodeposition of yttrium, barium, and copper. The Maxfield patent describes electroplating; the Koura patent describes electrophoretic deposition.

Barium, yttrium and copper have been concurrently electroplated from nonaqueous solution, as reported by Maxfield in U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,308. Maxfield used nonaqueous solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) because barium and yttrium can not normally be plated from aqueous solution. Maxfield specifically addressed this problem in column 2, lines 62-65 and column 3, lines 4-7. Maxfield allowed water content not exceeding that which would be coordinated with the dissolved ions (water of hydration), which is calculated to be 0.2% to 1.6% water for the examples given by Maxfield. By contrast, the process of the present invention involves electroplating in which water is the principal solvent.

Publications describing a process similar to that of Maxfield are: Bhattachary, et al, "YBaCuO Superconductor Thin Film via an Electrodeposition Process", J. Electrochem Soc vol 136, no. 6, June 1991, pp 1643-1645 and Minoura et al, "Preparation of YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇ and Bi₂ Sr₂ CaCu₂ O₇ Films by Electrodeposition Techniques", Chemistry Letters, 1991, pp 379-382.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,417 (Koura) describes electrophoretic deposition of particulate barium carbonate from suspension onto a conductive substrate. This is not metallic electroplating as in the case of the Maxfield patent. The liquid media for this electrophoresis involves a mixture of organic solvents (e.g., isopropanol and acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone and ethyl ether) and the metal salts are not soluble in these solvents. Charging materials such as iodine and tetramethylammonium hydroxide are used, and electropotentials range from 50 to 500 volts in order to form a good agglomeration of the deposited particles. Koura used mixtures of barium, yttrium and copper carbonates or oxides in the liquid medium and the deposit was in the form of mixed oxides. Subsequently, those oxides were fused together to form a perovskite superconductor. The Koura patent is clearly stated to be an electrophoretic process and the immediate product is an agglomerate, distinctive from electro-plating. Distinctions of the Koura process include the high voltages and the use of dispersions rather than use of solutions.

Iwata et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,119), describe superconductive elements which are electrodeposited from a dispersion or suspension onto a substrate. Iwata used separate powders of barium, yttrium and copper oxides or carbonates, suspended these in aqueous or preferably alcoholic liquid, and then deposited them using direct current voltages ranging from 30 to 300 volts. Iwata repeatedly described his process as being akin to that of "cation paint". Alternatively, Iwata reacted the three critical components to make a superconductive powder which was ground and then deposited onto the substrate electrophoretically. The Iwata process is limited to depositing layers of superconducting material that are thicker than the diameter of dispersed and agglomerated particles.

The process of the present invention is very distinct from both the Koura and Iwata patents in that the metals are deposited one ion/atom at a time from solution, and there is no limitation of minimum thickness per layer.

Further distinction of the present invention relates to the high current density that can be obtained with aqueous solvents, considerably higher than the 0.01 to 10 milliamperes/sq cm preferred by Maxfield. Higher current density means that the electroplating can be accomplished more quickly and more economically by the present invention.

Pawar and Pendse have published a paper "Electrodeposition by Dy-Ba-Cu Alloyed Films from Aqueous Bath," in Materials Research Bulletin, vol 26, 1991, pp 641-648, but they give little data on bath composition. They reported rapid decrease of current density within the first minute of plating which is an indication that the deposit is an electrical insulator, not a metallic layer as in the present invention. They report no complexing agent for this work and found that the thickness decreased after the first 20 minutes because of dissolution.

Minoura et al., supra, report on the codeposition of superconductive elements, with some similarities to Pawar. Minoura used a solvent mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide/water in ratio 10/1 by volume and nitrate salts of the desired metals. The low voltage (-1.4 to -2.0 volts) process deposited barium hydroxide and yttrium hydroxide rather than the metallic elements. As in the experiments of Pawar, the current dropped very quickly; this is due to the deposition of nonconducting hydroxides rather than deposition of metals. Minoura did not discuss use of any complexing agents to facilitate reduction of metallic ions to metals as in electroplating.

In contrast, the present invention deposits metallic elements or barium oxide surrounded by metallic elements (as shown in certain of the examples herein) and current remains relatively constant during the time of deposition. Following electroplating of the metallic elements, the process of this invention involves oxidation of these elements to form a perovskite structure.

The present invention involves the use of complexing chemicals to facilitate the electro-reduction of barium and yttrium ions to elements at the cathode. The use of complexes for these two metals has not been previously reported.

Ethylenedinitrilo-tetraacetic acid and its sodium salt are common complexing chemicals used in electroplating. Citric acid and its salts are not common complexing agents and are not common additions to electroplating solutions. These complexing chemicals are used in the present invention for the purpose of improving the ionic reduction potentials of the desired metals, not for the purpose of chelation or increasing solubility in solution.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a process for concurrent electroplating of yttrium, barium, and copper onto a desired substrate from an aqueous solvent.

In another aspect this invention provides a process for depositing these metals onto a flexible conductive substrate, after which the metals are oxidized to provide perovskite structure.

In another aspect this invention provides a process for depositing these metals onto a circuit or semiconductor on a suitable high temperature substrate.

Electroplating is an advantageous process for forming superconductive structures in long continuous lengths suitable for winding into coils to obtain powerful magnetic fields. This process is also useful because it can be used to selectively plate onto one or both sides of a flat ribbon. It is also useful in plating onto all surfaces of a round wire.

Electroplating also enables successive layers of metal to be deposited, and it enables a number of metallic elements to be co-deposited. For example, metals can be deposited in elemental form permitting intimate mixing of the metals as they are deposited. Co-deposited metal elements can interdiffuse to form a uniform composition at relatively low temperatures prior to being oxidized to form ceramic compounds which diffuse more slowly.

Another advantage of the electroplating process of this invention is that the depositing solution can be easily analyzed and adjusted continuously during the process. In this continuous process, a sample of the deposited material can be analyzed (nondestructively by X-ray fluorescence or destructively by partial removal) so that a feedback control circuit can adjust deposition conditions to obtain the desired product.

Yet another advantage of the process of this invention is that multiple layers of different materials can be deposited. Thus, the process enables manufacturing a long, continuous multi-layer superconductor.

Electrodeposits of these elements (yttrium, barium and copper) may be useful as superconductive or as non-superconductive compositions. The non-superconductive compositions can provide barriers between superconductive layers to control magnetic field exclusion effects.

Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating one embodiment of a continuous plating process of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating a continuous oxidation process for formation of perovskite superconductor on a substrate;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating superconductive characteristics of a composition deposited in accordance with the techniques of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the voltage/current relationships for a ribbon produced in a continuous process in accordance with techniques of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The essential characteristic of aqueous electrolyte systems is that one or more of the deposition metal salts be soluble in water at the operating pH and temperature, and that any insoluble deposition component be easily dispersible in the electrolyte. Solubility of all the metal salts is preferably at least 0.1%.

In another aspect the invention provides a process for concurrent electroplating of Y, Ba and Cu from an aqueous electrolyte when certain complexing agents are included. Representative examples of useful complexing agents for use in such process include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the sodium salt thereof, citric acid and citrate salts.

Complexing agents are sometimes useful in promoting solubility of the metal salts, and they are particularly useful where they promote the reduction of metal ion to elemental metal at low voltage. EDTA, sodium EDTA and citrate salts perform such functions for barium in the present invention. The concentration of the complexing agent may range from about 0.001 to about 0.5 molar or more, for example.

The optimum pH for electroplating of metallic elements may vary for different solute/solvent systems.

The electroplating is accomplished using an inert anode (e.g., pure graphite or noble metal) and a metallic or metallized cathode. The electrodes are preferably parallel and a short distance from each other in the electrolyte. Temperature above room ambient conditions may enhance plating rate and deposition quality. Ultrasonic agitation of the plating bath may enhance suspension of nonsoluble metal compound where used and may provide a faster and better quality deposit of the desired compounds.

The substrate cathode must be electrically conductive on its surface, and it must be nonreactive with the plating medium under conditions of deposition. For example, it may be metal foil, ribbon, wire or screen, graphite filament or metallized glass filament. The base metal of the substrate may be coated to facilitate electroplating (e.g., silverplated nickel) or it may be coated with a barrier material to prevent migration of substrate elements into the intended perovskite deposit.

In a continuous process making very long lengths of superconductor, the substrate must be sufficiently flexible to bend over rollers as needed to enter and exit the plating bath, or its profile must be sufficiently smooth to pass through liquid seals.

Perovskite superconductors are known to lose their epitaxial structure when thickness exceeds about 3 microns. Thus, there may be advantages in using multiple layers of 1:2:3 perovskite separated by a non-superconductor (e.g., silver or off-ratio perovskite) to obtain higher total current carrying capacity in thicker layers.

Regardless of thickness, there is an advantage in coating the 1:2:3 perovskite with a normally conductive material such as silver to provide an electrical connection and to provide a moisture barrier for the perovskite.

A continuous production of such a multi-layered superconductor is accomplished with a deposition cell as illustrated in FIG. 1. In these illustrations, a silver ribbon 10 is passed into a long cell 20 containing the barium-yttrium-copper deposition solution 22 and an inert anode 24. The solution is continuously recycled through the deposition cell, chemically analyzed and adjusted to the desired pH and concentration of each ingredient.

A small portion of the product is analyzed at point B or following oxidation of the deposition. Rapid non-destructive chemical analysis is done, for example, by X-ray fluorescence, or a portion of the plating is removed for dissolution and analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy. This provides a continuous monitor to insure the desired 1:2:3 atomic ratio of yttrium:barium:copper deposit on the silvered ribbon.

In this continuous process, silver ions may be introduced at specific locations A to deposit a silver plate as a restrictive barrier between multiple layers of superconductor.

Alternatively, mixtures of non-superconductive yttrium/barium/copper (e.g., 2/1/1 ratio) can be deposited at separate points A by local changes in solution or deposition conditions.

In FIG. 1 the cathode connection 23 is of negative polarity and is in electrical contact with the substrate ribbon 10 at all times. The anode 24 is of positive polarity. The elongated substrate passes over the various rollers shown in order to enter and pass through the bath.

After the metals have been deposited on the substrate it is necessary to oxidize the metals to obtain the desired perovskite structure having superconductive characteristics at temperatures exceeding 77° K. This is preferably performed by passing the plated substrate through a furnace with controlled oxygen concentration and temperature.

For example, the continuously plated substrate 10 may be passed through a tube furnace 30 as shown in FIG. 2. The plated ribbon 10 enters the furnace 30 having an atmosphere of oxygen (or nitrogen plus oxygen) where it is oxidized at a temperature in the range of 500° to 1050° C. (zone A) followed by annealing in oxygen in zone B at a temperature in the range of 350°-550° C.

The furnace may be heated externally or the substrate may be inductively heated. Selective heating patterns may be used to promote melt-growth, selective crystal orientation and higher critical current density (ref. P. McGinn, et al., "Microstructure and Critical Current Density of Zone Melt Textured YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇ ", Appl Physics Letters, vol 57, p. 1455 (1990), incorporated herein by reference). The electrodeposited product of this invention is ideally suited for zone melt texturing because the ribbon or wire can be transported easily and accurately through the zone melting environment.

In the case of a flat ribbon or foil substrate, the plated product may be mechanically worked (e.g., rolled or drawn) prior to or following the oxidation step to increase density, facilitate intermixing, accomplish twinning deformation, and to orient the deposit.

The principles of the invention are illustrated further by means of the following non-limiting examples. In the non-continuous examples an electroplating cell was used comprising (a) a test tube 16 mm in diameter and 250 mm long, (b) a graphite anode 4 mm in diameter and 270 mm long, or a platinum anode 0.5 mm in diameter and 270 mm long, (c) a metallic cathode which in some examples was a constantan ribbon (0.002×0.02 inch) and in other examples was a nichrome ribbon (0.005×0.06 inch) or silver ribbon (0.015×0.125 inch). The depth of immersion of the anode and cathode in solution was approximately 12 centimeters and the electrode separation was about 0.5 centimeter. The voltage and current were fairly constant during the term of each experiment. The batch experiments were performed at about 23° C. unless noted otherwise.

EXAMPLE 1

In this example the bath contained the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Cuprous chloride (hydrated)                                                                           0.021  grams                                            Yttrium chloride       0.038  grams                                            Barium chloride (oxidated)                                                                            0.49   grams                                            EDTA                   0.10   grams                                            Water                  18     cc                                               ______________________________________                                    

This solution was electroplated at 2.8 volts onto constantan ribbon with current of 40-68 ma for 3.8 hours. Deposit on the cathode was smooth; and on a 3 cm length it was found to contain:

    ______________________________________                                                             mol ratio                                                  ______________________________________                                         Copper        1.36 milligrams                                                                            4.8                                                  Barium        1.7 milligrams                                                                             2.8                                                  Yttrium       0.4 milligrams                                                                             1.0                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

In this example an aqueous bath was used containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Copper carbonate  0.15 molar                                                   Yttrium acetate   0.10 molar                                                   Barium oxide suspension                                                                          0.25 molar                                                   Citric acid       0.22 molar                                                   Sodium acetate    0.30 molar                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The pH was adjusted to 3.8 with acetic acid. The cathode was silver-plated constantan.

Electroplating was accomplished at 1.2 volts with current of 180 ma, and duration of 10 minutes. Mol fraction of the smooth deposit on the cathode was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.55 mols                                                                               3.93                                                   Barium         0.30 mols                                                                               2.14                                                   Yttrium        0.14 mols                                                                               1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

This represents a deposit very close to the desired 1:2:3 or 1:2:4 ratio of the metals.

EXAMPLE 3

This example used the same bath solution as in Example 2. The cathode was silver-plated constantan. At 2.1 volts and 85 ma, the plating bath in 10 minutes gave mol fractions as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.51 mols                                                                               2.22                                                   Barium         0.26 mols                                                                               1.13                                                   Yttrium        0.23 mols                                                                               1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

In this example an aqueous bath was used containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Copper carbonate  0.014 molar                                                  Yttrium acetate   0.21 molar                                                   Barium oxide suspension                                                                          0.33 molar                                                   Sodium acetate    0.40 molar                                                   Citric acid       0.20 molar                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The solution had a pH of 4.0, and the cathode was silver-plated nichrome.

Electroplating took place for 20 minutes at 4.1 volts, 500 ma, and gave a smooth deposit with analysis showing the following mol fractions:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.50 mols                                                                               2.94                                                   Barium         0.33 mols                                                                               1.94                                                   Yttrium        0.17 mols                                                                               1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

This deposition gave almost the ideal 1:2:3 mol ratio for the key metals.

EXAMPLE 5

In this example an aqueous bath was used containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Cupric chloride    0.3 molar                                                   Barium chloride suspension                                                                        0.2 molar                                                   Yttrium chloride   0.1 molar                                                   Citric acid        0.22 molar                                                  Sodium EDTA        0.0025 molar                                                ______________________________________                                    

The pH was 3.0 and the cathode was silver-plated nichrome.

Electroplating at 3.5 volts, 190 ma, for 120 minutes gave a smooth coating with mol fractions as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.51 mols                                                                                3.64                                                  Barium         0.35 mols                                                                               2.5                                                    Yttrium        0.14 mols                                                                               1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

This example used a clear solution containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Yttrium acetate                                                                               0.33 molar                                                      Barium acetate 0.47 molar                                                      Copper acetate 0.01 molar                                                      Sodium EDTA    0.001 molar                                                     Sodium citrate 0.03 molar                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The pH was adjusted to 4.8 with ammonium hydroxide; the cathode was silver-plated nickel wire.

In 30 minutes of plating at 4.5 volts, the cathode was found to contain:

    ______________________________________                                                            mol ratio                                                   ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.44   mols   2.2                                               Barium         0.36          1.8                                               Yttrium        0.20          2.0                                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

An aqueous bath was used containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Yttrium acetate   0.21 molar                                                   Barium oxide suspension                                                                          0.33 molar                                                   Cupric carbonate  0.014 molar                                                  Citric acid        0.2 molar                                                   Sodium acetate     0.4 molar                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The pH was 4.0, and the cathode was silver ribbon.

In 30 minutes of plating at 4.0 volts, the deposit was found to contain:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.49 mol 3.06                                                   Barium         0.35 mol 2.19                                                   Yttrium        0.16 mol 1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

This was very close to the ideal 1:2:3 mol ratio.

EXAMPLE 8

The clear aqueous bath contained the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Yttrium acetate                                                                               0.33 molar                                                      Barium acetate 0.39 molar                                                      Copper acetate 0.005 molar                                                     Sodium citrate 0.03 molar                                                      Sodium EDTA    0.004 molar                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The pH was 4.05, and the cathode was silver ribbon. The anode was platinum.

With electroplating 4.5 volts, 400 ma, and current density 31 ma/sq cm, the cathode deposit was found to contain:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.58 mols                                                                                3.87                                                  Barium         0.27 mols                                                                               1.8                                                    Yttrium        0.15 mols                                                                               1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

This composition was noted to be very close to the known superconductive 1:2:4 composition.

The ribbon was then oxidized in an oxygen atmosphere under the following conditions:

    ______________________________________                                         Room temperature to 950° C.                                                                    3     hours                                             950° C.         15    minutes                                           950 to 660° C.  30    minutes                                           660° C.         3     hours                                             660 to 450° C.  30    minutes                                           450° C.         22    hours                                             ______________________________________                                    

then cooled to room temperature

A section of this ribbon (after oxidation) was tested for superconductive characteristics using a Squid magnetometer. It was confirmed to be superconductive at 85° K. as shown in FIG. 3.

EXAMPLE 9

A clear aqueous solution was used containing the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Yttrium acetate                                                                               0.33 molar                                                      Barium acetate 0.47 molar                                                      Copper acetate 0.010 molar                                                     Sodium citrate 0.03 molar                                                      Sodium EDTA    0.004 molar                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Solution pH was 4.0, the anode was platinum, and the cathode was silver ribbon.

In 45 minutes of electroplating at 4.8 volts, 600 ma, 49 ma/sq cm, the deposit on the cathode was found to contain:

    ______________________________________                                                           mol ratio                                                    ______________________________________                                         Copper         0.52 mol 2.36                                                   Barium         0.26 mol 1.18                                                   Yttrium        0.22 mol 1.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The ribbon was oxidized with the following conditions:

    ______________________________________                                         Room temperature to 950° C.                                                                 98 minutes, dry oxygen                                     950° C. to 500° C.                                                                   52 minutes, wet oxygen                                     500° C.      60 hours, dry oxygen                                       500° C. to room temperature                                                                  3 hours, dry oxygen                                       ______________________________________                                    

The ribbon was tested with a Squid magnetometer and showed evidence of superconductivity at 85° K. similar to that of Example 9.

EXAMPLE 10

A continuous electroplating system was set up whereby a silver ribbon was plated from the following solution:

    ______________________________________                                         Copper acetate 0.012 molar                                                     Barium acetate 0.44 molar                                                      Yttrium acetate                                                                               0.34 molar                                                      Sodium citrate 0.03 molar                                                      Sodium EDTA    0.04 molar                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Solution pH was adjusted to 4.5 with acetic acid. Plating took place at 45° C. with 4.4 volts and 530-560 ma current on approximately 7.5 sq cm of ribbon traveling through the bath at 5 cm/minute.

The ribbon was promptly passed through a furnace at 710°-720 ° C. through a gaseous atmosphere of NF grade nitrogen containing a small amount of oxygen. The ribbon was subsequently heated in an oxygen environment to 920° C. about 2 hours, then at 550° C. for 20 hours.

The ribbon was confirmed as being superconductive at 77° K. using conventional 4-point resistance measuring system with a range of currents. Curve B of FIG. 4 shows that the critical current density of this ribbon at 77° K. was about 1000 amperes/sq cm (based on the area of deposit as estimated from AA analysis of the deposited metals). This occurred at the abrupt change of voltage between the lower limit of measurement (0.01 microvolt) and an ohmic resistance with constant slope of voltage vs. current. FIG. 4 also shows the ohmic resistance of this ribbon at room temperature and the ohmic resistance of an unplated silver ribbon in liquid nitrogen.

Other variants are possible without departing from the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for concurrent electroplating of yttrium, barium and copper elements from aqueous solution onto an electrically conductive substrate comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving compounds of said elements in water containing complexing agent selected from the group consisting of EDTA, citric acid, and salt thereof; (b) inserting an anode and a cathode into said liquid medium; wherein said cathode comprises said substrate; and (c) creating an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in the range of 1.2 and 6 volts and for a time sufficient to cause electrodeposition of said elements onto said cathode.
 2. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of yttrium, barium and copper deposited on said cathode is essentially 1:2:3.
 3. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of yttrium, barium and copper deposited on said cathode is essentially 1:2:4.
 4. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compounds of yttrium and copper are selected from the group consisting of acetate salts, chloride salts and nitrate salts, and said compound of barium is selected from the group consisting of oxides, chloride salts and acetates.
 5. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a flexible metallic ribbon.
 6. A process in accordance with claim 5, wherein said metallic ribbon is selected from the group consisting of nickel alloys and silver alloys.
 7. A process in accordance with claim 2, further comprising the step of oxidizing said elements on said substrate to form YBa₂ Cu₃ O₇ perovskite structure.
 8. A process in accordance with claim 3, further comprising the step of oxidizing said elements on said substrate to form YBa₂ Cu₄ O₈.
 9. A process in accordance with claim 7, further comprising depositing a layer of non-superconductor material over said perovskite structure, after which a layer of perovskite is deposited on said non-superconductor material.
 10. A process for continuous production of superconductive ribbon comprising the steps of:(a) electroplating yttrium, barium and copper elements on a moving metallic ribbon in accordance with claim 1 and then (b) oxidizing said elements by passing said ribbon through a furnace including an atmosphere containing oxygen.
 11. A continuous process in accordance with claim 10 including sampling, analysis and feedback to control the electrodeposition conditions for multi-component plating systems, whereby a small amount of the electrodeposit is chemically analyzed promptly to ascertain amount of each component, and controlling the composition of said solution or the amount of said electrical potential.
 12. A continuous process in accordance with claim 10 including sampling, analysis and feedback to control electrodeposition conditions,. for, multi-component plating systems, whereby the electrodeposit is nondestructively analyzed to ascertain the amount of each deposited component, and controlling the composition of said solution or the amount of said electrical potential.
 13. A process in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of forming multiple electrodeposits of superconductive perovskite precursors which are separated by electrodeposits of precursors to non-superconductive perovskite.
 14. A process in accordance with claim 13 wherein said multiple electrodeposits of superconductive perovskite precursors are separated by electrodeposits of inert metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold and platinum. 